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Friday, November 15, 2013

Well, I drove the 270 miles or so back from Balcones Canyonlands NWR yesterday through Austin and Houston once again. Only this time it was in a big honking van. I didn’t have the best night’s sleep while at that nice bunk house on the refuge since the other person staying there pumped up the heat to 77* for the night. I was ensconced in my sleeping bag and sweating bullets. I like cool temps for sleeping, so I even resorted to opening a window in the bedroom to the thirty something temperatures.

The trip back was uneventful, but I sure wasn’t fond of all the construction and bumper to bumper driving. My plan to stop at a What-A-Burger for lunch didn’t pan out either. It turned out that I arrived at the place I hoped to have lunch at 10:00 in the morning, so I just pushed on all the way to the rig.

Today, I headed into the Anahuac NWR headquarters to help Stephanie with last minute preparations for tomorrow’s Anahuac Wildlife Expo. Although the weather forecast earlier in the week called for rain on Saturday, it now looks like it will be a very warm beautiful day. The refuge hasn’t held this Expo since before hurricane Ike hit. So, it’s been about five years. Stephanie is a little worried that not many folks will show up since it’s been such a long time since this event has been held.

As I went out to get my lunch bucket from the van, I was treated to a wonderful spectacle in the sky.

Over 100 white pelicans had decided to take flight and soar over the parking lot. These pelicans nest on very northern fresh water lakes, and return here each year for the winter. They just soar around together in the sky. I don’t know why they do this since they only eat fish. They make no noise, and seldom flap their wings while they play the thermals. Kind of reminds me of B-52 bombers for some reason. As I stood watching them, more and more birds joined in until their numbers reached about 200. What a sight! Some times it pays to look up and down and all around.

Has anyone besides me never heard of the Swamp People? Apparently that is the name of a TV series on the History Channel (I think).

I guess this show is very popular in this neck of the woods. I found this picture when I Googled it. Two of the people from this show will be participating in the Expo tomorrow, so I’m thinking Stephanie won’t have anything to worry about concerning people and families showing up for the affair. I’ll let you know if people come out of the swamps to see them.

In the meantime, I’ve got a little mystery to solve here at the rig. Last week I bought a new toy for Emma to play with outside. It was one of those stuffing free dog toys that was a Snoopy dog in a pumpkin costume. She just loves those stuffing free things to shake up and toss around. I couldn’t find it anywhere today. I’m guessing that while I was gone to Austin, one or more of the local unleashed dogs snuck into the gated compound and made off with it. As I left the compound this morning for work, six dogs were hanging around outside the fence just milling about. It seems there are no leash laws in Winnie, TX, and dogs just wander around at will…

I think that Swamp People is one of many shows that "celebrates" the strangest and most eccentric of those among us. Best if they have thick accents, colorful language, and wrassle gators and such. I keep thinking that these shows can't continue to proliferate but they do!!

I've heard of the Swamp People, but have never watched their show. However, about the 77 degree sleeping, I agree with you. One of my best friends likes the temp 77, and she says that if she comes for a visit, I will have to keep the heat up for her!Also, leash laws are disregarded almost constantly no matter where I go. I hope you find your new dog toy!

I saw a huge flock of white pelicans the other day- very cool. It kills me that that show is on "the history channel" Duck Dynasty is on "Arts and Entertainment" and Honey Boo Boo is on "The Learning channel".

We've heard of the show, Swamp People, but like any other TV, haven't watched it as we don't have TV!! Not that I would anyway--not a fan of reality TV. I'm with the Odd Essay, I would rather watch the pelicans!

I would love to see that many pelicans soaring overhead. Even thought I really really like warm weather, it has to be cool for me to sleep. My head gets too hot at night which makes my pillow hot and then I can't sleep. I remember seeing a movie when I was young called "return of the swamp people". It was terrible. Since we don't have anything but antenna TV we definitely aren't watching anything about swamp people.

My only contact was while helping with the alligator presentation yesterday. The last slide refered to the swamp people and all the kids knew the names of the three guys and the presenter, a new staffer, mentioned which one was her favorite. Think they come out of Louisiana.